The
mathematically calculated Lunar Nodes are sensitive points in space
where the Moon’s orbit around the Earth intersects the ecliptic - the
Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Ascending Node is where the Moon
crosses from south of the ecliptic to north of the ecliptic. The
Descending Node is where it crosses from north of the ecliptic to south
of the ecliptic. In Western astrology the Ascending and Descending Nodes
are known as the "North Node" and the "South Node".
Only the North Node
is usually marked in horoscopes, as the South Node is by definition at
the opposite point in the chart. In Vedic astrology, the North and South
Nodes are called Rahu and Ketu respectively, and both are marked in the
chart. Nodes always move retrograde and are considered natural
malefics.
Astrologically the Nodes are thought to powerfully influencing
both the affairs of nations and of people. Eclipses occur only near the
Lunar Nodes: Solar eclipses occur when the passage of the Moon through a
Node coincides with the New Moon. Lunar Eclipses occur when passage
coincides with the Full Moon. The plane of the lunar orbit precesses in
space and hence the Lunar Nodes precess around the ecliptic, completing a
revolution (called a Draconic or Nodal Period, the period of nutation)
in 6798.383 days or 18.612 years. The Nodes need 1.55 years to pass
through one zodiac sign.
In her book 'Astrology and Stock Market Forecasting' published almost 80 years ago, financial astrologer Louise McWhirter described a theory of the business cycle. She claimed the low point of the depression was reached in summer of 1933 (Lunar North Node in Aquarius) and predicted the next peak in economic activity would occur in November 1942 (NN in Leo). Her prediction for recovery in 1942 coincided with the massive economic stimulus spending set in motion by the build-up for World War II. Looking at 100 years of stock market prices she consistently found the North Node in the sign of Aquarius during periods of low economic activity. At the halfway point in the 18.6-year cycle, the North Node is moving into the sign of Leo, where economic high points have historically been recorded. After this, the long-term trend moves lower as the North Node slowly and systematically makes its way back to the sign of Aquarius, where the cycle begins anew (see also HERE).
Using McWhirter’s method, one would have expected the lowest economic period between January 2008 and August 2009 (NN in Aquarius), and then gradually improving from below normal levels to normal levels between August 2009 and August 2012 (NN in Capricorn, Sagittarius and Scorpio). The period between September 2012 and February 2014 was projected to be an above normal period for economic performance (unfortunately the red line of the averaged composite in the above chart doesn't clearly reflect this pattern).
Though a considerable market correction between now and Q1 2016 is likely (HERE & HERE), a larger ensuing double-dip recession wouldn’t fit into the McWhirter-pattern (HERE). Instead the general upward trend should continue into the major peak-out between May 2017 and November 2018 (NN in Leo - HERE), followed by collapsing and declining markets into the 2020s (HERE).
